but mitch mcconnell made positive sounds yesterday. and i think that led folks to say, hey, maybe there's at least an outside chance of getting a deal. >> if a deal gets done, it will be a much smaller deal than both sides thought they would be able to reach if you asked them a few months ago. the president has a full agenda in the coming year. he said that he wants to do something on immigration. he is indicating that he would like to do something with regard to gun control and there's been talk on energy legislation. but it looks like raising the debt ceiling is not part of the deal. that is four major political fights that the president has on his hands. what is going to get lost the longer this drags on? >> i think most of those things. look, if this drags on into the new year, this is going to be the focus up until the inauguration. and as you mentioned, not only the debt ceiling but also come march, you will have to figure out how to extend government spending for the rest of the fiscal year. and they don't, the government would